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Are you a soccer fan? If you are then you know that the World Cup — soccer’s Super Bowl — is set to begin in just 14 days. For the first time in football history, Africa will play host. It’s a great showcase for South Africa, where the games will take place, and the South African church plans to be a big part of the celebration. Check out the video, “Church on the Ball,” produced by the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference. It’s a terrific look at the work of the church in the southern tip of the continent and the people of the nation that is rolling out its red carpet to the world. If you can’t get there for the big event, the South African church’s website is almost the next best thing.

Imoo creates videos documenting each day’s events. His low-key, humorous approach offsets his occasional lack of footage. He peppers his videos with references to Lent, and he often includes his family. In his Feb. 14 video, the family goes to downtown Vancouver and has photos taken with a 1976 skiing gold medalist; Feb. 16 they investigate the sport of curling .

Be patient; sometimes the best footage is a minute or two in. My favorite: Feb. 17 he teaches viewers the actual words to the Olympic theme song.

“We Believe: A Catholic Guide to the 2010 Winter Games,” includes greetings from church officials, including Pope Benedict XVI; maps, Mass times and parishes near Olympic venues; and stories of faith. Reflecting the diversity of Vancouver and the Olympic athletes, Archbishop J. Michael Miller’s welcome was published in English, French and Mandarin.

The Olympics open in Vancouver and Whistler Feb. 12, and the Paralympics follow in March. The Archdiocese of Vancouver and the Diocese of Kamloops have worked to prepare for athletes and fans from around the world.

Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York shares a Tastykake with Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia during a break at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' fall meeting in Baltimore Nov. 16. The two presented each other with T-shirts after making good on a wager after the Yankees won their 27th World Series. (CNS/Bob Roller)

You may recall reading about the friendly World Series wager between the archbishops of New York and Philadelphia — some Tastykakes to New York if Philadelphia lost the series; some New York bagels to Philly if the Yankees lost. (Who knew that Tastykakes are known as the “taste of Philadelphia”? Not me — I prefer Philly cheesesteaks, but I digress.)

Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York and Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia had already made good on their bet. But the two good friends (Archbishop Dolan is a St. Louis native; Cardinal Rigali used to be archbishop there) shared some tasty Tastykakes just the same during the U.S. bishops’ general meeting in Baltimore this week.

During a visit to Pittsburgh this weekend, I could feel the Super Bowl excitement in the air. The grocery stores were packed with people stocking up for the big game; people and businesses had signs in their windows; and the Steeler Nation was the topic of conversation all over the city.

I was surprised when the priest did not mention the Super Bowl. He greeted parishioners in Chinese for the Chinese new year and gave a nice homily about the readings. No Super Bowl hype here: In fact, the first mention of the game came in a pulpit announcement about celebrating “Souper Bowl Sunday” with a collection for a Pittsburgh soup kitchen.

At the end of the Mass, however, the priest shared with parishioners why he had remained mum about the big game.

“That’s because I believe it is wrong to pray for a team that you bet on,” he said, adding, “But you can pray that I reap the benefits of my bet.”

With tongue firmly in cheek, we bring you this breaking news. I’m not happy that CNS was scooped on this, but if we can liveblog the meeting we’ll let you know. (And please, send us no criticism — with all the serious issues we cover, it’s nice to take a break for a few laughs.)

I used to think that it was just the Washington Redskins (because I live near Washington) who had a problem with foul-mouthed and inebriated fans creating problems for families who want to attend games without being verbally assaulted. But then I spotted this item in The Catholic Spirit in St. Paul, Minn.

Here’s what my son said to me in the closing seconds of the third quarter: “I think maybe we should wait until I’m older to come to another game. I’ve never heard so much swearing in one building in my life.”